角龙
jiǎolóng
Horned dragon · trad. 角龍
角龙 (jiǎo lóng) literally means "horned dragon." It is commonly used in scientific contexts to refer to horned dinosaurs (like Triceratops) and can also describe mythical dragons depicted with horns.
What does 角龙 (jiǎolóng) mean?
角龙 (jiǎolóng) means “horned dragon” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “horn dragon.”
When to use it
Neutral. When discussing dinosaurs, it often refers to the Ceratopsidae family. For mythical creatures, it's a descriptive term. For a specific horned dinosaur like Triceratops, 三角龙 (sānjiǎolóng) is more precise.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “jee-OW LONG.” The first syllable, 角 (jiǎo), is a third tone, starting low, dipping, and rising. The second syllable, 龙 (lóng), is a second tone, rising in pitch.
Other ways to say it
- 三角龙sānjiǎolóngTriceratops (literally 'three-horned dragon')
- 龙角lóngjiǎodragon horn (the horn itself)
Examples
三角龙是一种著名的角龙。
Sānjiǎolóng shì yī zhǒng zhùmíng de jiǎolóng.
Triceratops is a famous horned dinosaur (a type of 'horned dragon').
神话中的角龙通常很强大。
Shénhuà zhōng de jiǎolóng tōngcháng hěn qiángdà.
Mythical horned dragons are usually very powerful.
这个玩具是一只绿色的角龙。
Zhège wánjù shì yī zhī lǜsè de jiǎolóng.
This toy is a green horned dragon.
Pro tip: While 角龙 (jiǎolóng) directly translates to "horned dragon," it's most frequently used in scientific contexts to refer to the Ceratopsidae family of dinosaurs. For a general mythical dragon with horns, you might also hear "有角的龙" (yǒu jiǎo de lóng), meaning "dragon that has horns."
Related phrases
应龙 · Winged dragon龙龟 · Dragon turtle真龙 · Imperial dragon
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